The End of Parliamentary Slack: Fines and Public Reprimands for Misconduct!

Members of the House of Representatives at the session to be held on September 16 will, among other things, consider the Proposal for a Code of Conduct for MPs and Delegates in the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the proposer of which is the Joint Committee for Human Rights, reports the Patria news agency.

The very extensive code of conduct covers many items, and parliamentarians could be penalized in case of inappropriate behavior (which is not uncommon).

Thus, for non-compliance with the Code, a written warning, a fine, and a public reprimand published in the public media may be imposed.

Given past practice and the behavior of certain MPs in parliamentary benches, it will be interesting to see whether they will be able to comply with the code. Minor violations of the Code include three unjustified absences from sessions of houses, commissions, and working bodies during the calendar year, leaving the session during the address of the chairperson or a guest, sitting or standing with one's back turned to the chairperson, reading books, newspapers, and publications during the session that are not related to parliamentary duties, using a mobile phone and laptop in a way that disrupts the session, talking that disrupts the session, inappropriate and untidy attire at sessions and in other places where they participate as representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and failing to respond to media requests for information from sessions.

Serious violations of the Code include non-compliance with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the law, making statements not supported by evidence, consuming alcohol or food during the session, displaying flags and emblems during the session, ad hominem speech, interrupting the speaker or otherwise disrupting the session, order in the hall, offices, and corridors, using expressions and words that may insult or belittle another or different persons, expressions or their synonyms that offend human dignity and undermine the dignity of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and incite hatred and violence, displaying bias towards a different political ideology, race, religion, nationality, gender, or other possible prejudices, using authority for one's own direct or indirect interests, participating in voting on matters in which there is a direct or indirect interest, simultaneously holding two or more incompatible positions, and performing a position that involves supervision over one's own position.

Furthermore, a serious violation of the code is also considered to be a breach of budgetary and financial discipline that guarantees proper management of public funds, taking actions aimed at the misuse of public funds, taking measures to secure professional advantage after the end of the mandate, non-compliance with measures in accordance with the law requiring disclosure of direct or indirect personal interests, other mandates, duties, and jobs, as well as changes in property status (property card), non-compliance with internal and external oversight measures, disrespect towards employees of the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and providing information that is not in line with the adopted positions of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its working bodies, except those representing his personal opinion.

Complaints against MPs may be submitted exclusively in writing, and the complaint must not be anonymous.

The complaint is submitted to the Joint Committee in written form, with an explanation indicating a possible violation of the Code.

During the procedure, a discussion must be held in which the MP or delegate against whom the complaint has been filed has the right to present his view of the stated facts and circumstances in the complaint.